It's been four years now. What I was doing up until 6:26AM that day. I replay in my mind what I did before, during, and after "the storm" a little less now than I used to but it still occupies too many of my thoughts. I wouldn't change any of the before or during but the after would have certainly been done differently.
The QOTD articulates a tiresome sentiment to most Louisianians. Extended stays tend to wear out their welcome. I think that's natural. If the sentiment was stated that way, it would be understandable and acceptable. Of course, that's not what's said most of the time. The prevailing sentiment we hear is that those communities that accepted Katrina evacuees generously opened their arms to their fellow Americans and all they got in return was a drain on their resources and an increase in crime and traffic. There's some truth to that but the all they got part of their lament needs some improvement.
Those communities were and are very generous and we are thankful for that. The influx of people did and continues to present many challenges for them and we regret that. However, the vast, overwhelming majority of people who moved away are "essential workers" *, doctors, teachers, trade professionals of every kind, and merchants. Most of the ones that stayed away are contributing members of their current communities in more ways than one. They not only started their lives over, they did so without bringing much with them. They bought or rented houses, rented apartments, or stayed in hotels/motels in their new communities. They bought food, new furniture, new appliances, new clothes, new cars and trucks. They paid local sales taxes and school tuition. They spent large chunks of their insurance settlements, FEMA money, and life's savings in their new communities. Those communities tend to emphasize the drain and their generosity but they rarely mention the gigantic growth spurt and economic boost they got and continue to get. That's not fair. Besides, many, probably most, Louisiana citizens did move back but they left a little something behind. We can tell that by the Florida, Georgia, and Texas license plates on their new vehicles.
* "Essential workers" is the current euphemism for minimum wage workers and the dearth of them in the economy here is crippling the recovery, if you believe local businesses.
12 days until football season ...
Quote of the Day
Houston is a great place to live; the only problem is that Katrina has worn out her welcome.
Shuttle Driver - Houston, Texas
Blog of the day here.
Quote from said blog: "The author, Robert Lindsay, an independent journalist and blogger, claims that the deathtoll related to Katrina could be as high as over four thousand people. The guy appears to be a bit wacko, but I get what he's trying to say. In the months following the storm, the obituaries of the Times Picayune were multiplied by at least 4 on a daily basis until December 2005."
Rob-Someday I hope to have an in-person conversation with you about Katrina and its aftermath, specifically regarding New Orleans proper. Maybe over a beer or two.
There's a pretty good chance it will still be on my mind, Dave. Unfortunately.